Miles Edmund Cotman was an English landscape painter, etcher, and illustrator, known for his works depicting the English countryside and architectural subjects. Born on May 4, 1810, in Norwich, he was the second son of the prominent artist John Sell Cotman and Ann Mills. Miles was part of an artistic family, with his father being a leading member of the Norwich School of painters, a unique phenomenon in British art characterized by a group of artists working in Norwich in the late 18th and early 19th centuries who were inspired by the local landscape.
Miles Cotman showed artistic promise from a young age and was trained by his father, alongside his brother, John Joseph Cotman. He worked in a variety of media, including watercolor, oil, and etching. His style was heavily influenced by his father, and he often assisted John Sell Cotman with his etching work.
Despite living in the shadow of his father's considerable reputation, Miles Cotman developed his own artistic identity. His works were characterized by a delicate touch and keen observation of nature. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and the British Institution, but his career was largely regional, centered around Norwich and the surrounding areas.
Miles Edmund Cotman also worked as an art teacher, sharing his knowledge and skills with a new generation of artists. Unfortunately, he struggled with financial difficulties throughout his life, which were exacerbated by his father's debts and the need to provide for his family.
Miles Cotman's health began to deteriorate in the 1850s, and he died on August 28, 1858, in Norwich, at the age of 48. Although he never achieved the same level of fame as his father, his work remains appreciated for its contribution to the Norwich School and its faithful representation of the English landscape and architectural heritage. Today, his works can be found in various art collections, including those of the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.
